Manmohan Singh death Highlights: Last rites of former PM to be performed at Nigambodh Ghat in Delhi tomorrow

Manmohan Singh death latest updates: Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal Friday claimed the Centre has "declined" the request of Manmohan Singh's family for performing the funeral and last rites at a place where an appropriate memorial may be built.

The government announced that a State funeral will be accorded to Singh and it will take place at 11.45 AM Saturday at Nigambodh Ghat.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold the funeral for Singh at a place where a memorial can be built later. He also said that this would be a befitting tribute to a leader of Singh's stature and also in keeping with past traditions of former prime ministers.

There is no official word from the government on Kharge's request.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday described former prime minister Manmohan Singh as an outstanding statesman and recalled his contribution in elevating India-Russia ties to a 'special and privileged strategic' partnership.

Manmohan Singh death latest updates: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge sent a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting that the last rites of former PM Manmohan Singh be conducted at a location where a memorial could be established.

Kharge made the request after discussing with Modi the possibility of creating a memorial for Singh, who served as Prime Minister for two terms and was widely respected across India.

"Apropos our telephonic conversation today morning, wherein I made a request to hold Dr Manmohan Singh's last rites, which will take place tomorrow i.e. 28th December 2024, at his final resting place that would be a sacrosanct venue for memorial of the great son of India.

"This is in keeping with such tradition of having memorials of statesmen and former Prime Ministers at the very place of their funerals," Kharge said in his two-page letter.

Manmohan Singh death latest updates: The Ministry of Home Affairs announced that the last rites of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will take place at Nigambodh Ghat in Delhi on Saturday at 11:45 am.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold the final rites at a location where a memorial in Singh’s honour can be established.

Manmohan Singh death latest updates: The Congress Working Committee (CWC) on Friday paid heartfelt tributes to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, describing him as a towering figure in India's political and economic history whose contributions significantly transformed the nation and earned global respect.

In a condolence resolution adopted during the meeting, the CWC expressed grief over the loss of a "true statesman" whose life and legacy profoundly influenced India's future.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, former party chiefs Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, along with general secretaries Jairam Ramesh, K.C. Venugopal, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, were among those who gathered at the AICC headquarters to honor Singh’s memory during the CWC meeting.

Manmohan Singh death latest updates: The Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting began at the All India Congress Committee (AICC) headquarters in Delhi on Friday, with party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) and MP Rahul Gandhi, and other Congress leaders in attendance.

The meeting was organized to pay tribute to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. It had initially been scheduled for December 3 in Belagavi.

Manmohan Singh Death Latest Updates: While studying at Cambridge University on a scholarship in the mid-1950s, Manmohan Singh faced financial struggles, with times when he had to skip meals or survive on a sixpence bar of Cadbury's chocolate, as shared by his daughter Daman Singh. He graduated with a First Class Honours (Tripos) degree in Economics in 1957.

Daman Singh revealed these details in her 2014 book, Strictly Personal: Manmohan and Gursharan, published by HarperCollins, where she recounted the "story of her parents." She also highlighted how her father often reminisced about his early life, recalling the hardships of growing up in a village and the simplicity of that lifestyle. Singh was born in Gah, a village in the western Punjab region, which is now part of Pakistan.

Manmohan Singh Death Latest Updates: Congress MP and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi arrives at the AICC headquarters for the Congress Working Committee (CWC) meeting, which has been called to pay tribute to former prime minister Manmohan Singh.

Manmohan Singh Death Latest Updates: Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim paid a heartfelt tribute to Manmohan Singh on Friday, recalling how the former Indian leader had offered scholarships for his children while he was imprisoned. On X, he described Singh, who passed away on Thursday, as “the midwife of India’s emergence as one of the world’s economic giants."

Anwar also called him “my mitra, my bhai, Manmohan."

Although Anwar declined the offer, he expressed his gratitude for the gesture. The Malaysian leader was incarcerated from 1999 to 2004, during which Singh served as the Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha.

“Dr Manmohan Singh, slightly awkward as a politician but undeniably upright, steadfast and resolute as a statesman, leaves behind a legacy that will inspire generations to come," he wrote.

Manmohan Singh Death Latest Updates: The Union Cabinet, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, passed a resolution of condolence in honor of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. An official statement said the Cabinet paid tribute to Singh by observing a two-minute silence. The government has declared a seven-day state mourning, lasting until January 1, 2025.

During this period, the National Flag will be flown at half-mast across India and at all Indian missions and embassies abroad. Dr. Singh will receive a state funeral, and a half-day holiday will be observed in all Central Government offices and CPSUs on the day of the funeral.

The Cabinet expressed deep sorrow at the passing of Dr. Manmohan Singh, who passed away on December 26, 2024, at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.

Manmohan Singh Death Latest Updates: JDS leader H D Deve Gowda called the death of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh a "great loss" to the nation, praising him for "saving the country" from an economic crisis and preventing it from falling into a "debt trap." He described Singh as a simple, honest, and gentlemanly person.

Manmohan Singh Death Latest Updates: Union Home Minister Amit Shah's planned two-day visit to Odisha from Saturday has been postponed following the Centre's declaration of a seven-day mourning for former prime minister Manmohan Singh, according to a BJP leader.

Shah was set to attend an Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) event and hold a meeting with BJP MPs, MLAs, and workers at Kalinga Stadium on December 29, among other engagements.

"The visit of the union home minister has been postponed due to the demise of former prime minister Manmohan Singh," said BJP's Jajpur MP Rabindra Narayan Behera on Friday.

Manmohan Singh Death Latest Updates: PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti says, “We have gathered here today to pay our last respects to former PM Manmohan Singh who died yesterday...The nation lost a gem.”

Manmohan Singh Death Latest Updates: China paid tribute to former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, acknowledging his "positive contribution" to the development of India-China relations. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning highlighted key agreements signed during Singh’s tenure, which addressed the longstanding boundary issue between the two nations.

Mao stated that Singh was a distinguished politician and economist who made significant contributions to improving India-China relations. She recalled that during Singh’s time as prime minister, both countries established a strategic cooperative partnership for peace and prosperity and agreed on political parameters and principles to resolve the India-China boundary dispute.

Mao extended China’s deep condolences on Singh’s passing, offering sympathy to the Indian government, people, and his family.

Manmohan Singh Death Latest Updates: Gurdeep Singh, nephew of former PM Manmohan Singh, says, "He has been the finance minister and then the prime minister of the country but he was also a family man. He was so connected to the family members. He was always available for us whenever the family needed guidance. He used to talk to us even for the little things... We got this news in the night but we didn't share it with her (Manmohan Singh's sister). We shared it in the morning... We can't let her to Delhi as her health is not stable and the doctor advised us not to let her travel..."

Manmohan Singh Death Latest Updates: Billionaire Gautam Adani, Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran, and business tycoon Anil Ambani led India Inc. in paying tributes to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, recognizing him as the architect of economic reforms and one of India's greatest leaders.

Singh, who played a key role in opening up the economy as finance minister and served as prime minister for two consecutive terms, passed away on Thursday at the age of 92.

"History will forever honour his pivotal role in the transformative 1991 reforms that reshaped India and opened its doors to the world. A rare leader who spoke softly but achieved monumental strides through his actions, Dr Singh's life remains a masterclass in leadership, humility and service to the nation and will inspire generations to come," said Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani in a post on X.

Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran referred to Singh as one of the visionaries who shaped a new, liberalised India taking its rightful place globally.

"We mourn the passing away of former Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, one of the stalwarts who envisioned a new, liberalised India that is taking its rightful place in the world," he said in a statement.

Manmohan Singh Death Latest Updates: Actor Anupam Kher took to social media on Friday to express his grief over the passing of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Kher, who portrayed Singh in the 2019 film The Accidental Prime Minister, shared a heartfelt tribute through a video message on Instagram.

"Deeply saddened to know about the demise of former #PrimeMinister of India #DrManmohanSingh! Having studied him for more than a year for the movie #TheAccidentalPrimeMinister, it felt that I actually spent that much time with him," Kher wrote alongside the video.

"He was inherently a good man. Personally completely honest, great economist and a very humble person. Some can say maybe not an astute politician! My heartfelt condolences to his family. Om Shanti!" he added.

Manmohan Singh Death Latest Updates: French President Emmanuel Macron, on the demise of India's ex-prime minister Manmohan Singh, said, “India has lost a great man, and France a true friend, in the person of Dr. Manmohan Singh. He had devoted his life to his country. Our thoughts are with his family and the people of India.”

Manmohan Singh Death Latest Updates: Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said, "The passing away of the former PM is a great loss. He was a great statesman, a stalwart. I had the privilege of knowing him, nearly for 50 years... He will be remembered for many things - he was the architect of the economic reforms along with PV Narasimha Rao ji, but the context became more important. He was able to navigate the economy when it was facing many challenges. Initially, it was a balance of payment crisis... When he saw those difficulties, economic reforms were carried out - which formed the basis of growth which came later... Equally, if you look at the foreign policy front - the India-US relationship moves from one of a history of hesitation, which led to the basis of a strategic partnership... There was so much opposition to the Nuclear deal but it was Manmohan Singh's resolve and determination which ensured that the deal went through."

Manmohan Singh Death Latest Updates: Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said, "When the country was facing an economic crisis, Manmohan Singh ji pulled the country out of the economic crisis, brought back the country's gold which was mortgaged and gave a new identity to the dignity of the country."

Manmohan Singh Death Latest Updates: Former Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe, speaking to ANI about the passing of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, said, "I have known him since 1992, I had discussions with him...he has been a good friend...he was a good leader, one of those who made modern India."

Manmohan Singh Death Latest Updates: On the passing of former PM Dr. Manmohan Singh, Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala said, "We have paid our final respects to him. He was a strong Prime Minister who significantly contributed to making India a financial power. An honest man with no corruption charges, his tenure is remembered as a golden era for the country. He crafted policies benefiting the people, particularly the poor. His memory will always be cherished."

Manmohan Singh Death Latest Updates: Congress general secretary KC Venugopal announced in a post on X that a Congress working committee comprising of the CWC Members, permanent and special Invitees will be held 5.30 pm today at the AICC HQ.

The event is being planned to pay homage to the former PM Dr. Manmohan Singh.

Manmohan Singh Death Latest Updates: Congress MP Renuka Chaudhary told news agency ANI that the nation had not only lost a son and respected prime minister but also a wonderful man, after the demise of Manmohan Singh.

“It is a great sadness. Today, it's raining...The skies are weeping as India lost its great son and we have lost not only a respected PM but a wonderful man with great qualities of humility, tolerance, inclusivity, peace and all the qualities that every religion preaches to everyone,” she said.

Manmohan Singh Death Latest Updates: National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah reflected on the work done by Dr Manmohan Singh as prime minister and mourned his loss, reported ANI.

The leader said, “I was a minister in his Cabinet, it is during his time that renewal energy was recognized. I hope the work done by him can be taken forward. If there was anyone who took steps to rehabilitate our Kashmiri pandits in Kashmir, it was Dr Manmohan Singh.”